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Marlins split arb cases with Bour, Realmuto

By
Joe FrisaroMLB.com

MIAMI -- Call it a split decision for the Marlins in their first two arbitration hearings. The club successfully made its case against catcher J.T. Realmuto, but first baseman Justin Bour came out on the winning end, according to the rulings handed down Friday by three arbitration panelists.

Bour will make $3.4 million this season, instead of $3 million, while Realmuto will receive $2.9 million, instead of the $3.5 million his camp filed.

MIAMI -- Call it a split decision for the Marlins in their first two arbitration hearings. The club successfully made its case against catcher J.T. Realmuto, but first baseman Justin Bour came out on the winning end, according to the rulings handed down Friday by three arbitration panelists.

Bour will make $3.4 million this season, instead of $3 million, while Realmuto will receive $2.9 million, instead of the $3.5 million his camp filed.

The decisions were first reported by MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, and confirmed by MLB.com. The club has not commented.

The Marlins still have one more arbitration hearing next week with right-hander Dan Straily.

All three players are in arbitration for the first time. Bour had his hearing on Thursday, while Realmuto's was on Wednesday.

The Marlins have a "file and trial" policy, and they held to that after the sides were unable to reach agreements by the Jan. 12 salary arbitration exchange deadline.

In arbitration hearings, the panel picks either the high or low figure. Straily has filed at $3.55 million, with the Marlins countering at $3.375 million.

Realmuto, with three years, 38 days of service, has emerged as one of the top catchers in the game. He's also among the most athletic. Last year, he appeared in 141 games and posted a slash line of .278/.332/.451 with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs. His salary was $562,500.

The Marlins have three more seasons of control on Realmuto, who would be eligible for free agency in 2021. There are still questions as to whether the 26-year-old will be with the club on Opening Day, though, as Miami is listening to potential trade offers.

Bour, who made $552,500 last year, has become the Marlins' biggest power threat. The left-handed-hitting first baseman had a slash line of .289/.366/.536 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs last year. He has three years, 64 days of service time, but missed about two months in 2017 due to a right oblique injury.